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Iran: Human Rights Activist Narges Mohammadi Sentenced to 11 years

November 2, 2011

Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi was sentenced to 11 years in prison by a Tehran court on charges of ‘propaganda against the regime.’ The court ruled Mohammadi’s efforts for starting an international campaign for human rights and establishment of the National Peace Council at the Defender of Human Rights Centre as ‘security crimes.’ Mohammadi, Deputy Chairperson for the DHRC, called her sentence “an unfair ruling for a human rights activist.”

Security officers had threatened Mohammadi to cease activities with a heavy sentence, similar to that of Nasrin Stoudeh. Sotoudeh, a prominent human rights lawyer, is currently serving a reduced sentence of six years in prison. She has been banned from having visitations with her family for three weeks for refusing to wear a chador, saying it is a violation of her rights. Her husband, Reza Khandan, said: “This is a two-sided punishment. When they want to punish a prisoner for whatever reason, they must separate the prisoner’s family from it. By cutting off her visitation for three weeks, the family was hurt, too, especially the children.”

Last week Mohammadi was recognized for her efforts for democracy and human rights and awarded the Per Anger prize. Jury chairman Eskil Franck called Mohammadi a worthy recipient and an inspiration for human rights activists around the world. Nobel Peace Laureate and co-founder of the Defender of Human Rights Centre, Shirin Ebadi, said of Mohammadi: “Nargess is a prominent human right defender who is taking fairness, justice, and freedom as her guideline. This prize is an important recognition of the struggle of human rights defenders in Iran.” Ebadi will accept the award in Mohammadi’s place on November 14.